Hello,
Well I am new to this...as you can tell Well I am 2 weeks into the program and it seems to be helping, I started seeing a therapist on top of doing this program. I didn't realize I was depressed until my boyfriend pointed it out to me and asked what he could do to help. When he told me I seemed depressed when I looked back I realized I was....am.

Let me give you a little background about myself. I started to have panic attacks a few years ago, I was about 22 years old and in a financial bind. I bought a house and new car when I was about 19 and it was all going well for a few years but I started stressing more and more finally it hit me the first panic attack. I had no idea what it was and after a while they didn't happen anymore so I thought I was fine. I sold my house and payed off my car and all was well until my Daddy passed away. It was so sudden and unexpected I didn't know how to deal with it. I was the typical daddys girl and proud of it. He was only 42 years old and he had so much going for him. He had his own business, he was doing very well, he raced sprint cars, and he rode his chopper, he lived his life to the fullest. Since it was so sudden I started having major panic attacks, this was in June of 06'. I moved in with my mom because my sisters and I can't think of her in her house alone. My parents were the way love should be...unconditional, so when my daddy passed away it tore her up inside. I dealt with them for a few months then in October of 06' I lost my job and that hit me hard again....but I was fine. I took some time off for the holidays before I began job hunting again then there was enless job interviews and meetings, but no job. I started to approach June the one year anniversary of my daddys death and I lost it my panic attacks came back with a vengence, I had them everyday, I didn't leave the house, I didn't drive, I couldn't be left alone but on the other hand I couldn't be in a crowd. I finally went to a doctor and he gave me pills (paxil) I started to take them for about a week and they made me feel worse so I stopped then I heard the commercial for this program and I said why not. So here I am. I'm still looking for a job but it is so hard because I can't stop the panic attacks and I'm afraid of when the next one is going to be. I am now getting out of the house....which is a major accomplishment for me, I even went shopping!!! WOW!!! Panic Attacks are still preventing me to live life as I did before but I am getting better everyday. I have a bachelorette party coming up for a friend and I am so scared of going because of the panic attacks but gradually I am trying to talk myself into going...I need to live my life again!!!


Thank you and I'm sorry if I ramble on and on but thats me :D

If anybody has any comments of suggestions for me I am open to anything and everything.
andreagomez54g@aol.com
Andi

Welcome to the forum and welcome to the program...have you finished lesson/session 2 yet? The six steps done as soon as you suspect you are headed for panic will help you control them. The only way to have a panic is to be afraid of them...decide what about them (precisely)feels like danger to you...find out the facts about that particular symptom and focus your comfort measures on that symptom.

The guidebook will give you Lots of information about how to do this and why it works.

I hope we see you here often- sorry to hear about your dad...can I ask you if he would want you to live your life to the fullest? If the answer is, yes, as I imagine it is...I think you've come to the right place.

Do the basics Every day. Peace, Carolyn

Welcome Andi and stick with the program and this forum! I can 100% appreciate what you are going through. I had panic attacks on and off since the age of 13 and they went away for a long time. My mom died (age 52, suddenly not sick or anything) 5 years ago and I thought I was handling things really well until over a year ago when wham, the attacks started again. After listening to the program, I am finding that I probably have never dealt well with her death and am just starting to come to terms with some of it. I also am going through major changes, such as getting married, selling and buying a house, a little financial issues, and all the rest that goes along with growing up....This really is a great place to talk to people and find out that there are so many people like us! Take care and stick with the program and just remember to listen and relisten as you always find valuable information. As Carolyn said, Tape 2 is invaluable to the panic attacks! Good luck and keep posting!! Take a deep breath...the rest of your life is just beginning....